GRAMPIANS Medicare Local, Great South Coast Medicare Local and Barwon Medicare Local have welcomed the government's continuing support of primary health care, as evidenced by last week's announcement on Primary Health Network (PHN) boundaries.
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All three organisations have been in regular discussions regarding the new PHN boundary, which will cover the Grampians and Barwon South West region.
All three Medicare Local chiefs were pleased that the Federal Government was keen to build on the existing primary health framework with the new PHNs.
"An investment in primary health is an investment in the future. We are pleased that the government values the primary health coordination role - to provide better, more sustainable, more efficient access to local health services," Grampians Medicare Local CEO Andrew McPherson said.
"The new boundaries make sense as they align with existing Local Hospital Network boundaries, contributing to well-connected health systems in our community.
"All three organisations are committed to respecting the legacy and services to health professionals that each organisation has in place, as a strong foundation to the new PHN development. We will need to further invest in strong connections across the Grampians and Barwon South West PHN region and support existing Medicare Local staff, ensuring existing services are maintained and enhanced.
"We all have strong general practice advocacy and engagement and strong links with private allied health, rural health services, community health, local government, private health funds, private hospitals, public hospitals, Aboriginal Health Services, NDIS, residential aged care facilities and community based organisations.
"We all understand the primary health services that are currently available across the new Grampians and Barwon South West PHN region and are looking forward to building strong local connections across the catchment, as quickly as we can to support GPs, other health providers and the community."
